Uncovering New Connections: The Maynard-Bland Family Discovery
Have you ever found a court record or document that reshaped a family group? Recently, I stumbled upon a Chancery Court record in Jackson County, Tennessee, that transformed my understanding of the Eli Bland family.
This record added Mary Bland and her husband, William Maynard, to Eli Bland’s family tree. Not only did this discovery expand my own research, but it also led to updates on the FamilySearch tree. When I couldn’t find a family listed for Mary Bland and William Maynard, I added them, linking them to the Bland lineage.
Further investigation suggests that William Maynard could be Dr. William Bland [KZGW-QYY]. Intrigued, I began searching for records that tied William Maynard to a wife named Mary. Given that several of Mary’s siblings had migrated from Tennessee to Platte County, Missouri, I focused my search there.
In Platte County, I uncovered two deeds where William Maynard sold land to Matthew Bland and Alfred Kirkpatrick. Both deeds were signed by Mary Maynard, strongly suggesting she was Mary Bland. This connection makes sense, as Matthew Bland and Alfred Kirkpatrick would have been William Maynard’s brothers-in-law.
The search for more records about Mary and William Maynard continues, but this discovery highlights how court documents can unlock new family connections and expand our understanding of ancestral relationships. Have you experienced a similar breakthrough in your research?
Platte County Missouri
Deeds 1844-1846image 230 of 663
“Platte, Missouri, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL2-3T95?view=fullText : Jan 15, 2025), image 230 of 663; .
Film Number/Image Group Number: 008197430
Deed records v. C-D 1844-1847Volume C 1844-1846
page 387This Indenture made and entered into the 24th day of September A.D. Eighteen
hundred and forty five by and between William D. Maynard and Mary Maynard his
wife of the County of Platte and State of Missouri of the first part and Matthew M. Bland
of the second part Witnesseth That the said party of the first part for and in consider
ation of the sum of Ten dollars to them in hand paid by the said party of the second
part the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have bargained sold and conveyed and
by these presents do bargain Sell and convey and confirm unto the to party of the
second part his heirs and assigns forever , all that certain tract piece or parcel of land
lying and being situate in the County of Platte and State of Missouri to wit Common
cing at the South East corner the North West quarter of Section No thirty four
( 34 ) Township fifty four (54) of Range 36 Thirty Six and runing North on said
quarter Section line two and one half rods thence West six Rods Thence South two
and one half rods thence West along the South line of said quarter Section
six rods to the place of Beginning said piece of land supposed to contain One
fourth of an acre more or less . To have and to hold the same with all the
right privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining
unto him the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever , the said
William D. Maynard and Mary Maynard his wife party of the first hereby
Covenanting that their heirs Executors or administrators will warrant and forever
defend the title to the said premises and any part thereof to him the said
party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever , against the lawfull
claim or claims of all and every person or persons whatever claim or to claim
the same or any part thereof
In Witness Whereof the said William D.
Maynard and Mary Maynard his wife party of the first part have
hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written .
Wm D Maynard (seal)
Mary M. Maynard (seal)
State of Missouri County of Platte , ss :
Be it remembered that before me the undersigned a
Justice of the Peace in and for Platte County and State aforesaid
Personally Came William D. Maynard , and Mary Maynard his wife
whose names are subscribed to the within and foregoing instrument
of writing as parties thereto and acknowledged that they executed and
delivered the same as their voluntary act and Deed for the uses and
purposes therein mentioned . The said Mary Maynard being by
me [just] made acquainted with the contents of said Deed acknowledged
on an examination apart from her said husband that she executed the same
and relinquished her Dower in the real Estate therein mentioned
freely and without Compulsion or undue influence of her said
husband
Given under myimage 231 of 663
page 388my hand this 30th day of September 1845
Geo T Hulse Justice of the Peace
Filed for Record October 16th 1845
Platte County Missouri
Deeds 1844-1846image 238 of 663
“Platte, Missouri, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL2-3T95?view=fullText : Jan 15, 2025), image 230 of 663; .
Film Number/Image Group Number: 008197430
Deed records v. C-D 1844-1847Volume C 1844-1846
page 403
This Indenture witnesseth that William D Maynard and Mary M.
his wife of the County of Platte and State of of Missouri for and in Consideration
of the Sum of One Hundred Dollars to them in hand paid by Alfred
Kirkpatrick of said County and State aforesaid the receipt where of
is hereby acknowledged have given granted bargained and sold aliened
Conveyed and confirmed and by these presents do give grant bargain and
Sell alien Convey and Confirm unto the said Alfred Kirkpatrick
his heirs and assigns forever a certain piece or tract of land lying and
being in County and State aforesaid and being the North East quarter
of the North West quarter of Section Thirty four 34 Township fifty four
54 and Range thirty six in the Plattesburgh land District [the form]
Containing forty acres of land be the same more or Les To have and
To hold the said granted premice with all the appurtenances
and privileges to the same belonging or in anywise appertaining to the
aid Alfred Kirkpatrick his heirs and assigns to their own
proper use benefit and behoof forever as a good indefeasible
Estate in fee Simple and the said William D Maynard and
Mary M his wife for themselves their heirs Executors and Administrators
Covenant with the said Alfred Kirkpatrick , his heirs and assigns that
until the signing sealing and delivery of these presents , they were law
fully siezed in fee of the above granted premises and appurtenances
that the have just right full power and lawful authority to sell
and convey the same in manner aforesaid that the premises are
free from all incumberances whatever , and that they will do warrant
and forever defend the same to the said Alfred Kirkpatrick
his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claim of all persons
whomever . In testimony whereof they have hereunto set their hands
and seals this 19th day of April A. D. One thousand eight hundred
and forty five
Wm D. Maynard (seal)
Mary M. Maynard (seal)
Signed Sealed and delivered ⎬
in presence ofBe it remembered that on this 19th day of April A. D. 1845
before me William Turner a Justice of the peace for Marshall
Township in Platte County Missouri Personally appeared William
D Maynard , and Mary M his wife who are personally Known to me
to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing and
within Deed as having executed and severally acknowledged the same
to be their act and Deed for the purposes therein contained , she the
said Mary D. Maynard being by me first made acquainted with
the contents of the within instrument of writing , and examined
separate and apart from her husband , whether she had executed the
said instrument freely willingly and without control of her Husbandpage 404 (image 239)
Husband she the said Mary M acknowledged and declared she executed
the same relinquishing her dower right in the said lands and tene
ments freely willingly and without control or under influence of
said husband
William Turner J P
Filed for Record Oct . 21st 1845